FAITH-O-METER: Run After Jesus

FAITH-O-METER: Run After Jesus

This was a Christian youth meeting led by Amy where she taught about "running after Jesus" as the final part of a series on the faith journey. Amy used athletic metaphors to explain that following Jesus requires discipline, self-control, focus, energy, determination, and not looking back at past sins. She referenced biblical verses including Proverbs 18:10, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Philippians 3:12-14, and Luke 9:62 to illustrate how Christians should run toward Jesus with single-minded focus rather than idling or looking back.

FAITH-O-METER: Follow Jesus

Amy conducted a Bible study session focused on what it means to follow Jesus, using Matthew 16:24-26 as the main verse. She explained that following Jesus requires three key steps: denying oneself (rebuking sinful nature), taking up one's cross daily (daily death march to separate from worldly things), and complete submission and humility in following Jesus as Lord. Amy identified three main deterrents to following Jesus: attachment to other things, arrogance, and ambivalence. She emphasized the importance of true discipleship, explaining that following Jesus requires a pledge of allegiance rather than casual following, and concluded by discussing John 10:2-5 about knowing Jesus's voice and running towards Him rather than just following Him.

FAITH-O-METER: Passive Defense

Amy delivered a message about defending one's faith, continuing her series on the "faith-ometer" concept. She discussed the difference between passive defense of faith (only speaking about God when provoked) and actively sharing hope with others. Using biblical examples from 1 Peter 3:13-18 and other passages, Amy emphasized that believers should be ready to give a defense for their hope but should not wait to defend God until faced with persecution. She challenged listeners to examine whether they live their lives in a way that naturally points to their faith, rather than just being prepared to defend it when challenged. Amy concluded by encouraging believers to let their daily lives reveal Christ's love and to be zealous for God in the same way people are passionate about other things in life.

FAITH-O-METER: Observe

Amy hosted a live faith discussion about being an "observer" on the faithometer, exploring what it means for believers to go through religious motions without genuine engagement. She examined biblical references including Matthew 27:55-56, Galatians 4:8-11, and James 1:22-2:14 to demonstrate how observing faith differs from active faith, warning against passive religiosity and tolerating sin. Amy discussed the concept of works flowing from authentic faith rather than being a requirement for salvation, using examples from Revelation about the church of Pergamum to illustrate how observing without defending or living out faith is insufficient. She encouraged viewers to move from being hearers to doers of the Word and to see Jesus as their foundation and treasure rather than just observing Christianity as a religion without relationship.

FAITH-O-METER: Doubt

Amy conducted a live session discussing doubt as part of her faith-ometer series about measures of faith. She explored biblical examples of doubt, including the apostles' reactions to the resurrection in Luke 24 and the story of the Road to Emmaus, emphasizing that even dedicated followers like the apostles experienced doubt. Amy discussed how doubt often arises from putting confidence in temporary, physical things rather than in God's eternal nature, citing research showing the top reasons people doubt God are religious hypocrisy, church hurt, and human suffering. She explained that doubt doesn't indicate a lack of salvation and provided practical advice for dealing with doubt, including remembering one's first love for God, repenting of doubts, and returning to a relationship with God. The session concluded with a prayer and a reminder that believers are not alone in their struggles with doubt.